“Casamiento” was a pioneering CHamoru record first released in 1973 and produced by singer Johnny Sablan. Some have called it a CHamoru musical all-star album because of all the voices and talents it brought together.

This album represented a turning point in postwar CHamoru history and creative expression. Several singers on the album such as Flora Baza Quan had started their musical careers singing primarily English songs and American hits. But by the 1970s, the contemporary CHamoru music industry was starting and there was a demand on the island and in the diaspora for CHamoru music. The album also featured the Charfauros Brothers and Mike Laguana, who were already well known for singing CHamoru songs at parties, political rallies and on the radio.

This album helped launch the careers of several artists, but also helped launch the contemporary CHamoru music industry in general. Johnny Sablan donated this and several other of his vinyl records to the Guam Museum for posterity.

Comment on this post with a favorite CHamoru song or album.